Upcoming Local Events

Yo Ho, Mateys! Make sail for the marshy shores of the Canton of the Westland Mor. The Jolly Roger has been hoisted, signaling to all - pirates and land-lovers alike - that they are welcome to attend our 10th Spring Thing event “A Pirate’s Life” on Saturday, June 20th upon the Flax Scutching Grounds (no street address, Stahlstown PA 15687). Join the Westland Mor and her crew from 11am til 11pm* for a day of good food, jolly tournaments, and friendly company. The captains for the day will be Lady Caitilín ní Mhaolchonaire (Kathy Giesey - 112 Deeds St. Ligonier PA 15658; 724-238-0114, dragonflykiwi@verizon.net) and Cellach Ó Lochláin (Kelly Deemer - P.O. Box 292, Bolivar PA 15923; 724-676-0239).

We hope to offer heavy weapons, fencing, archery, and thrown weapons tournaments throughout the day and into the evening. Bring yer best brews to enter into the “Grandest Grog” competition; and a sea-shanty, limerick, poem, or story for the Seaman’s Bardic Competition (remember this is a family-friendly event). The Canton & the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog are proud to present the Cattail Choraliers, who will perform a few Renaissance and Pirate songs for yer listening pleasure. And where there be pirates, there is bound to be treasure to hunt! What will it be? Gold? Jewels? Chocolate coins? Attend and find out.

We will also host our first ever Artisan’s Exhibit. Everyone attending the event, especially Canton and Barony members, is asked to bring something (anything) that you have made. This is not a judged competition! This will be an exhibit of local talent. So, dig out that project you are proud of but not quite brave enough to enter into a competition, and bring it along. For more details, contact Lady Rachel (Rachel Shively - 724-853-7520, friscokitty@hotmail.com

Ye may be quaking in yer boots wondering what nasty ship’s food might be served, but fear ye not! The cooks are planning to serve up a hearty sideboard and a New World Caribbean feast fit for a king or queen... or walk the plank! Our feastocrats are Lord Gareth Craig (Craig Millar, 814-948-5218) and Lady Elizabeth “Rose” Thorne (Beth Rose, 724-834-7549, rosethorne@att.net). If you have any dietary questions or concerns, please contact Lady Elizabeth.

The cost for the event will be as follows: for adults (16 and older), on-board $15 and off-board $8; for younger folk (6-15), on-board $8 and off-board $4; and children under age 6 are free. A family cap of $50 shall exist. The $3 non-member surcharge will be collected at check-in for those without proof of current membership (please do not include this in your pre-registration fee). Pre-registration is not required, but hoped for as seating is limited to 80 people. Our Reservations Clerk is Lord Corwyn ap Nennius (Daniel Holiday - 210 Seminary Ave, Greensburg PA 15601; 724-834-2722, mellowgoth@hotmail.com). Please make checks payable to “SCA, Inc. - Westland Mor”.

*Due to the late hour of our event, on-site camping is permitted. Anyone staying over must be off-site by 10am on Sunday. Facilities are limited (no showers and only porta-johns). Hotel Accommodations can be found in nearby Donegal, Ligonier and Latrobe. If you wish to stay overnight, please contact Lady Caitilin (724-238-0114 or dragonflykiwi@verizon.net)

For more information or updates on the event, visit: http://www.stswithinsbog.org/canton/springthing.htm ) or visit the event’s website (see address below).

Directions to the site:

From the West: Take your best route to Route 30. Take Route 30 east toward Ligonier. At Ligonier, make a right onto Rt. 711 South. Follow 711 south for approximately 6-8 miles. The Flax Scutchin' Grounds will be on your right. Keep an eye out for the SCA signs.

From the East: Take your best route to Route 30. Take Rt. 30 west toward Ligonier. At Ligonier, make a left onto Rt. 711 South. Follow 711, south for approximately 6-8 miles. The Flax Scutchin' Grounds will be on your right. Keep an eye out for the SCA signs.

The site is also accessible from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Exit the Turnpike at the Donegal exit. Make a left out of the interchange (onto Rte 31), approximately 1/10 of a mile turn left again and follow the signs for 711 North toward Ligonier. The Flax Scutchin' Grounds will be on your left, approximately 5-7 miles north of the Turnpike.

Got Sins? Penance keeping you on your knees at all hours? Atonement for those many deadly sins cutting into your day? Well, friends, have we got a deal for you! Take the vow, get your blessing, your scrip and staves from your local parish priest, put on your broad-brimmed hat and come on down--to the Barony of St. Swithin's Bog on PILGRIMAGE! Visit our patron's shrine and glory in his relics! Guaranteed absolution of all your backlogged sins on one short visit! That's one small journey for you, one giant redemption for your soul!

Ever wonder what it was like going on a pilgrimage in the middle ages? We wondered about that too. Now we would like you to join us, suspend reality, and experience such a trip. We will have fencing, including the 7 Pearls Baronial Fencing Championship, armored combat, archery, and thrown weapons. Merchants welcome!!! Baronial Court will follow feast.

Meals were simple on pilgrimage and taken when and where available. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all, but our feast will be something completely different limited to 100 and reservations strongly encouraged. On-board visitors will be given coin with which to purchase the ingredients for their meal on site between 4-6 PM. They will be directed to our outdoor bazaar where various cooks at individual braziers will then prepare those ingredients to the visitor's liking. Seating will be informal, around the bazaar area where mats or carpets will be laid out upon the ground. (We will also have limited table seating available for those who prefer it.) The idea is to gather together in informal groups around braziers while the food is cooked or sit in the bazaar to eat and get to know your fellow pilgrims better. Talk, laugh, enjoy the company and a hearty meal with old and new friends.

Site is the Cambria County Fairgrounds (883 North Julian Street, Ebensburg, PA, 15931). Autocrat: Lady Emily (Stacie Eckenrode, 657 Cypress Ave., Johnstown, PA, 15902, 814-339-6805, lady_emily@hotmail.com). CO-Autocrat Dame Vivienne (Pamela Faint, 136 Strayer St. Johnstown, PA 15906, 814-535-6394, ladyviv@atlanticbb.net). Feastocrats are Master Don Iago (Ken Kusher, spamyard5@yahoo.com) & Don Bastiano (Norman Ed). *Contact Iago with any dietary restrictions. Our reservationist is Battista (Paul Tedeski, 499 Southmont Blvd., Johnstown, PA, 15905, 814-410-3256 No calls after 9 PM., ptedeski@atlanticbb.net). Site fee is $11.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 6-17. Children 5 and under free. Feast: $7.00 for adults, $3.50 for children 6-12; 5 and under free. NMS will be collected at the door. Please do not include it in your reservation. Checks should be made payable to "SCA Inc, Barony of St. Swithin's Bog." Campers/RVs are welcome and please be advised that it will be an additional $25.00 per Camper/RV for electricity for the weekend. This fee will be collected at the time of your arrival; please do not include it in your reservation. Site opens 5 PM Friday and closes Sunday 1PM.

DIRECTIONS:
From the North: Make your best way to route 219 south. Where 219 becomes a four-lane STAY ON OLD 219 SOUTH. About 4.2 miles past the 4-lane intersection our site will be on your right. Keep a lookout for the SCA signs. Turn right onto Julian St., follow this just a smidge, and make a right turn thru the gates of the fairground.

From the East/Southeast: Make your best way to route 22 West and take the Ebensberg/Loretto exit. At the stop sign at the end of the ramp, you will go straight, this is Rowena Dr. There will be a stoplight; Lake Rowena will be on your left. Go thru this